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• PRO

  Gary RK April 7, 2010 at 3:24pm

  Absolutely yes. If performing pesticide application for commercial gain (ie as part of your job) you must have relevant training and licensing.
  
  There is only one exception I know of and that relates to 'Grandfather Rights' for those born before 1963 (?).
  
  It's not cheap (several hundreds £'s), but does differientiate you from fly-by-nights.
  
  If you only have a small requirement, consider subbing it out to a qualified, licensed and insured contractor.
  
  Otherwise do the proper thing - get trained and then use and promote it/yourself.
  
  Remeber, some of the products out there are dangerous to yourself, others, pets, animals and the environment. You have a duty of care........
  
  Do a Forum search and you find out more, especially relating to the PA classifications.
• 

  clare birch April 7, 2010 at 3:43pm

  hi gary - thanks for your reply - but as i said i am not looking to apply pesticides - i am looking to apply a herbicide to kill off the weeds. The PA1 and PA6 seem to be concerned with the application of pesticides?
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  choughman April 7, 2010 at 3:47pm

  yep, well said gary and yes you do need it for herbicide. Trust me , in the wrong hands one can do a hell of a lot of damage with weedkiller. I know of one farmer who had land contaminated for two years by an "inexperienced" sprayer.
  Grandfathers rights apply only to work done on your own property ( i e oldish farmers) . Though i'm sure i will be corrected if the law has changed!
• PRO

  Gary RK April 7, 2010 at 3:55pm

  Claire,
  
  herbicides, pesticides are all classed the same (don't be fooled by the word 'pest....' it does relate to weeds)
  
  So, to re-iterate you do need a PA1/PAx license
  
  Any self respecting supplier 'should' check you have a license before supplier commercial products.
  
  
  clare birch said:

  hi gary - thanks for your reply - but as i said i am not looking to apply pesticides - i am looking to apply a herbicide to kill off the weeds. The PA1 and PA6 seem to be concerned with the application of pesticides?
• 

  clare birch April 7, 2010 at 4:01pm

  thanks for your info guys - my next question then is, where in the east midlands can you get these qualifications?. I am on the border of notts/derby and leicester? thx for all you advise!
• PRO

  Gary RK April 7, 2010 at 4:23pm

  I would suggest a good first step would be to contact your local Horticultral College. They often provide this type of training or know of local providers and/or contact NPTC (the Assessing organisation for PA tests):
  
  http://www.nptc.org.uk/training-providers/
  
  I am really passionate about our industry's professionalism and our environment. It scares the hell out of me when I see people putting themselves and our future at risk.
  
  
  clare birch said:

  thanks for your info guys - my next question then is, where in the east midlands can you get these qualifications?. I am on the border of notts/derby and leicester? thx for all you advise!
• 

  Graeme @ BGS April 7, 2010 at 5:11pm

  Claire,
  
  Professional selective herbicides must be applied by a qualified person (PA1/PA6) however there are a few herbicide products than do not require a ticket but to be honest these are not that effective. Any pesticide and or fungicides and 99% professional herbicides will require the operator to hold full PA1 & PA6 NPTC qualifications.
  
  I would suggest making contact with one or two of the amenity providors and ask if they are holding any group training sessions as this may work out a lot cheaper.
• 

  Dan Frazer Gardening April 7, 2010 at 5:35pm

  Rough costs are £400. If you've recently started you may be able to get some funding from this through ILA.
  
  Part of the training teaches you that 'Pesticide' is the umbrella term that covers all insecticide, herbicide and fungicides.
  
  Just completed mine, all passed with top marks. Only problem is the training and examination procedure in Glasgow seems to be geared toward council workers, ie slow, simple, haphazard, courses start late, tutors sit and chat with people while you sit and wait etc etc... not very professional, did my nut in today waiting for them to sort out their appointment-making process before doing my pa6 exam.
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  Nick Donaghey @ Garden Gurus April 7, 2010 at 5:40pm

  Scottish Agricultural Colleges used to run a very good course - not sure if they still do.
  
  Graeme - I thought that any pesticide applied in a professional capacity required PA1/6? Is it right that there are exceptions?
  
  Dan Frazer Gardening said:

  Rough costs are £400. If you've recently started you may be able to get some funding from this through ILA.
  
  Part of the training teaches you that 'Pesticide' is the umbrella term that covers all insecticide, herbicide and fungicides.
  
  Just completed mine, all passed with top marks. Only problem is the training and examination procedure in Glasgow seems to be geared toward council workers, ie slow, simple, haphazard, courses start late, tutors sit and chat with people while you sit and wait etc etc... not very professional, did my nut in today waiting for them to sort out their appointment-making process before doing my pa6 exam.
• 

  Dan Frazer Gardening April 7, 2010 at 5:46pm

  You mean impunity? Or just sheer evil destructive glee? :o)
  
  gary @ affinity landscapes said:

  Well done Dan, you can now legally zap things with total imunity ! ;-))
  
  Dan Frazer Gardening said:

  Rough costs are £400. If you've recently started you may be able to get some funding from this through ILA.
  
  Part of the training teaches you that 'Pesticide' is the umbrella term that covers all insecticide, herbicide and fungicides.
  
  Just completed mine, all passed with top marks. Only problem is the training and examination procedure in Glasgow seems to be geared toward council workers, ie slow, simple, haphazard, courses start late, tutors sit and chat with people while you sit and wait etc etc... not very professional, did my nut in today waiting for them to sort out their appointment-making process before doing my pa6 exam.